While the winter storms are freezing our plants outdoors, the time to start seeds indoors for spring gardens is now.

A few tips and the proper equipment will ensure that more of your seeds germinate and continue to grow, saving you money and time while you prep for the warmer weather ahead.

Step 1: Start with quality seeds

While the following guide will help seeds grow weather they come from inside of a store-bought pepper or from the finest seed catalog, the healthier the seeds, the better they will sprout. Our store has a selection of good quality and unique seeds. If you are saving your own seeds, see our blog post about seed storage.

Step 2: Keep them moist and covered

All seeds need water in order to germinate (sprout). Mix your potting soil with water before filling your tray to ensure water is in all of your pot. Next, “water-in” your seeds after planting by gently sprinkling water over the top with a watering can.

One of the easiest ways to keep your seed tray from drying out is to cover it with a humidity dome. This will also help with our next step. If you are in a pinch, a clear plastic bag can do the trick too.

Step 3: Use a seedling heat mat

Seeds will only start to sprout when they detect the perfect conditions. Once your seeds are moist they need to be kept at the proper temperature or they won’t grow well. Using a seedling heat mat with a thermometer will boost your seed germination rates and help them all to start growing at the same time. In our climate of Logan Utah, I never start seeds without it. Once the plants sprout you can turn down or remove the heat mat.

Step 4: Give them light

Once your seeds sprout they start reaching toward the light. If they don’t have enough bright light they will become tall and skinny, or ‘leggy”. These plants won’t have enough support in their stems as they get bigger, leading them to be top-heavy and weakening them to the point that they could break under their own weight. Thin stems can also encourage fungal diseases if the plants are kept too wet.

As soon as your seeds sprout, keep them in a bright location. Without a greenhouse most of us do not have enough natural light to keep new seedlings healthy. Place your seedlings in a bright window and add additional light by using a grow light. Your new plants will thank you.